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The second installment of the thrilling horror anthology series, Them: The Scare, returns in April. Created by Little Martin, the upcoming series will be set again in Los Angeles in 1991 and follows Detective Dawn Reeve, played by Deborah Ayorinde, as she is assigned a new case: following a gruesome string of murders committed by a mysterious killer, played by Luke James. Now trying to find a serial killer with the entirety of Los Angeles on the brink of rioting, Dawn is determined to stop the killer. As she draws nearer to finding out the truth, something ominous grabs ahold of her and her family. The eight-episode series cast also includes Pam Grier (Foxy Brown), Joshua J. Williams (Cloak & Dagger), Jeremy Bobb (The Continental), Wayne Knight (Seinfeld), Carlito Olivero (This Is Me... Now), Charles Brice (Watchmen) and Iman Shumpert (The Chi). Them: The Scare premieres on Thursday, April 25 and all episodes will be available on launch. Check out the trailer below.

Like most industries, Black artists continue to face an uphill battle. From the art admired during the Harlem Renaissance to contemporary works, breaking into a space dominated by white faces and white acceptance has hindered our perception of what art truly is. Photo Credit: Salvatore Demaio Yes, we have prominent artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Kehinde Wiley, but too often Black artists continue to get overlooked compared to their white peers. While the lack of acknowledgment for Black art may persist, it does not mean that our art is going unnoticed in communities that appreciate and honor artists who reflect our stories and evoke deep emotions within us. Artists such as Guy Stanley Philoche know all too well the determination it takes to succeed in a world that does not always embrace him. For over 20 years, Philoche has built a career many artists dream of, freely conceptualizing his art, his way. Born in Haiti, the Harlem, New York resident moved to Connecticut at 5 years old. “I was weird…I was an awkward kid who did not speak English,” Philoche says about his move to the States. “All I wanted to do was find my way through the art world… through the world.” Coming from a Caribbean background, Philoche felt the pressure to follow the path that many had been taught was already laid out for them, influenced by family dynamics, education and religion. “Our option for a career is either a lawyer, a doctor, an accountant, or something in government,” he says about expectations in his community. “Something with a pension, it is all about a pension.” Like many other artists and creatives, the passion felt is loud, and the urge to pursue one's dreams resonates loudly every day. The age-old story of defying societal expectations to follow one's dreams is as timeless as it is daunting, especially within the realm of the arts. For Philoche, the stars aligned in his youth as he immersed himself in cartoons, ultimately learning English through the art form of animation. It was during this time that the creator of New York I Still Love You discovered his innate talent for drawing, marking his first introduction to the world of art. “I went on a class trip to a museum, that is when I fell in love with art,” Philoche says about his early beginnings. Witnessing who Philoche says are masters of art made him understand that he wanted to make art for a living. It wasn’t easy for the Harlem artist to break the news to his strict parents. After graduating high school, Philoche says his mother told him he was “too smart,” and that he had to go to a university or trade school. “I’m 17 years old and I kissed my parents goodbye and left home,” he says about his journey. In hindsight, Philoche understands why his parents tried to steer him clear of choosing an artist's life but that did not happen overnight. Years of resentment took time to heal, but despite obstacles, the fire burned and his passion flourished. “I’m 46 years old…it took a lot of sacrifices,” Philoche says about his career. “When you're an artist, you have to ask yourself, ‘What are you willing to sacrifice to get into this career?’ You have to take these big gambles and these big risks,” he explains. “It gets harder and harder to take those gambles and those risks… but then again, it's like art chose me.” Being chosen by art has led Philoche to become one of the most in-demand artists of this generation. His latest series Give Us Our Flowers, is a collection of portraits where Philoche mirrors the beauty of the Black community. “To this day, when I walk into museums, I don't see portraits of us. It was important for me to show us in a light where we're not just entertainers, criminals or athletes,” Philoche says. “We are more than that. We're doctors, lawyers and educators. We're Judges…it's really important to show us in those types of atmospheres like everyday people.” Inspired by a friend's death, Philoche began the series after wishing his friend received his flowers before his passing. “I attended his funeral. I saw all the love that people were sharing about his stories… How they wish they told him he was a great father, a great lawyer,” Philoche explains. “I'm in my studio and I just started drawing his portrait… the next thing you know, I told myself I am going to give him his flowers.” Give Us Our Flowers has been a huge hit in the art world. Philoche began the year with two big shows, one in New York City and the other in Los Angeles. The acclaimed artist is racking up fans throughout the world, including Bruce Lurie, Owner of Lurie Gallery. “I’ve been following the works of Guy Stanley Philoche for about 10 years now. We’ve also become good friends, though I only really see him at art fairs,” Lurie says of his admiration for Philoche. “I’m so impressed with this new body of work he developed over the past few years. The work captures every day life of African American kids and youth that always puts a smile on my face. His photorealistic playful scenes are provocative and enlightening, always portraying positivity in daily life activities." The success of Philoche’s career continued when The Gates Foundation acquired the "Nope Not Today" painting and Delta acquired the "Yes We Can!" painting from Give Us Our Flowers. In addition, the “Wall Street” painting from his series "New York I Still Love You" was just acquired by DV Trading as part of their corporate collection. For Philoche, his mission has remained the same after 20 years in the industry. He wants spectators to see themselves. To feel. To be inspired. “I want the viewers to focus on the portraits. I want them to see themself in the works,” he says. Photo Credit: Salvatore Demaio

Paying it forward and kindness from the heart is still a thing in 2024 thanks to one rapper from Chitown. Rapper Vic Mensa is keeping his commitment with a generous donation to a small business, Da Book Joint, which he visited a few weeks ago, according to Yahoo. The rapper visited the bookstore, which is a local Black-owned store, back on March 13 to personally hand them a check for $7,200 to ensure the doors of the brick-and-mortar business remain open. The money was from the artist’s cannabis brand known as 93 Boyz, which is Chicago’s first Black-owned marijuana brand that is available for public consumption. According to AfroTech, the $7,200 donation will cover the rest of the storefront’s 2024 monthly rent. Founded in 2007 by co-owners Verlean Singletary and Courtney Woods, the Southside of Chicago’s main purpose is to help kids grow their literal muscles and give them a safe place to enjoy a good book or two. The store offers a wide variety of books and hosts several events. These include their annual book fair, which features free books and school supplies. Additionally, they hold book club meetings for the Chicago chapter of the NoName Book Club. Another popular event is Book and Brunch, where attendees enjoy a catered breakfast and engage in discussions about books. Participants also receive a free publication to take home, catering to kids, youth, and adults alike. Customers can also book three different sessions for their time at the bookstore, including Shop & Read for $1, Date Night Session for $50 and Shop and Read with Snacks for $30. Showing appreciation for Mensa’s unexpected contribution was the bookstore’s ownership, who posted pictures on Instagram of themselves and the activist with the huge check in an effort to thank him, as well as share the news with their supporters. “Hey family! This has officially been the best Wednesday ever! We are thankful. We are honored. We are grateful. We are truly living a dream right now,” the caption read. “Thank you so much to @vicmensa and his entire @93boyz team for blessing us today by covering our rent for an entire year. Thank you for seeing our mission and helping us stand in our purpose. You are that breath of fresh air we needed. His generosity ensures our doors stay open for all book lovers and dreamers. This act of kindness touches our hearts deeply and reaffirms the power of community and support.” It continued, “Thank you, Vic Mensa, for lighting up our world with hope and generosity! 📚💖 More official photos and videos coming! We can’t wait for you to see the phenomenal interview we filmed today!” Photo Credit: Da Book Joint Instagram

An organization at a familiar university in Philadelphia is doing all it can for Black men to become doctors. It’s a student organization. Specifically, it’s called Black Men in White Coats. And it’s happening at Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College, among other colleges, too, according to CBS News. "With the intention of trying to increase the number of Black men going into the field of medicine," medical student Kevin Carolina said. "It's a very challenging journey, and it's a journey that does require a lot of assistance." Carolina is actually a founding member of the organization. "I see the impact the lack of diversity has on health outcomes within people that look like me," he said. According to the CDC, Black folks have high rates of disease, health complications and death. And a part of that is blamed on a historic lack of trust in white doctors, thus not being able to find Black medical professionals. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, diversity is improving. But only 5% of doctors are Black. "Although our numbers are rare within medicine, we're working to improve that and up those numbers as well," medical student Nathan Delacth said. Delaeth is a member of Black Men in White Coats, too. "When I was younger, I never had any role models who looked like me," he said. These future Black doctors train in a simulation lab, supporting one another. And they hope to inspire more Black men to become doctors and help those in need. "We're hoping to enact change within the school itself, bringing more Black students to the school as well but also creating change within the community," Delacth said. These good Black men go to underserved communities with items such as screening checks. Additionally, this group is working to improve access to better healthcare for Black neighbors. “Ultimately, we want to uplift Black voices,” Delacth said. According to the website, the mission is the following:  “Black Men In White Coats seeks to increase the number of Black men in the field of medicine by exposure, inspiration, and mentoring. To accomplish this, we are partnering with various medical schools across the country to produce outstanding short documentary videos which brings awareness to this issue that not only affects the Black male population, but also the nation as a whole.” Photo Credit: Black Men in White Coats Facebook

A park in Alabama will allow people to visualize and have “an immersive experience” of slavery and centuries-old struggles of Black folks in America. According to NBC News, Freedom Monument Park will host 17 acres of the experience just above the Alabama River, which was a primary route to transport enslaved Africans amid the slave trade. The park will open next week. It will be near two other creations, which are led by Civil Rights attorney and renowned social justice activist, Bryan Stevenson. The park will feature “an awe-inspiring Memorial to Peace and Justice, an open-air site that has 800 columns suspended from above, evoking public square lynchings, and the Legacy Museum.” Just a few miles in downtown Montgomery, that site uses interactive elements that tell the story of the “devastation of slavery, Jim Crow, violence, and mass incarceration.” The sculpture park, the third addition, humanizes the experience of the enslaved person living on a plantation. It will have a centerpiece of the park that will be a 100-by-40-feet foot monument to freedom, which is angled like an open book, listing close to 100,000 known surnames of folks who were emancipated in 1865. The monument is called the first of its kind to recognize the more than 10 million Black folks who were enslaved in America. In an interview with NBC News, Stevenson said he had no interest in visiting plantations, but once he finally did, his experience was revelatory, and it triggered an important act. “I was intrigued by the authenticity of those places,” he said of the plantations. “And I thought about whether we could create a space like that, centered on the lives of enslaved people and tell this history.” Stevenson also founded the Equal Justice Initiative, which helped free more than 140 death row inmates who were wrongfully convicted. He said the main house on the plantations was so pronounced that it “marginalized” the slave dwellings. “And so, creating a space like this that has some historical significance, and then building a kind of a narrative around this land was the objective,” he said. “And we see this as a place to have a deep, immersive engagement with the legacy of slavery, and primarily the lives of enslaved people, so we can have a deeper understanding of that. ... It’s about humanizing it.”

A recent report released by the U.S. Department of Justice indicates that Tennessee is experiencing a faster growth rate in its prison population compared to most other states. The report revealed that between the end of 2021 and 2022, Tennessee witnessed an almost 8% surge in its incarcerated population, resulting in 1,740 additional individuals being held in state prisons. MAX Original's newest documentary series, Justice, USA, explores what really goes on behind the doors of prisons in Nashville, Tennessee. Justice, USA, filmed over seven months, delivers a chilling reality that addresses the pervasive issues of poverty and juveniles caught in the system, while also confronting the mental health and addiction challenges that incarcerated individuals grapple with daily. The documentary depicts the unfiltered side of the justice system, a perspective often absent in other documentary films, giving audiences a look into Nashville courts and jails. Each episode provides viewers with direct insights from the individuals comprising the system, including inmates from both the men's and women's jails, as well as the juvenile court. Access to the courthouse was granted with minimal restrictions giving viewers an intimate look at trials and proceedings. Notably, the documentary refrains from featuring narrators or experts, contributing to its authentic and immersive appeal. Davidson County’s Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway even agreed to participate in the series because she wanted to shed light on the realities within her courtroom. "I see blurbs and stuff that say Judge Calloway is just giving people cookies and milk and sending them on their way when they don’t understand exactly what we can do as the law and what we should do," Judge Calloway said. Mike Tollin, Common and Marshall Goldberg are executive producers while Randy Ferrell served as the showrunner. As the series wraps, the message is clear that the documentary wants to prioritize the community and state of Tennessee to prioritize homelessness, mental health and those who need help with addiction. All episodes of Justice, USA are now streaming on MAX. Check out the trailer below. Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery

Major League Baseball is trying to improve the number of Black players in the game through its youth pipeline. The program started in 2018, predating the establishment of the DREAM Series by MLB, which marked the first time Black players were showcased in front of scouts and coaches. The goal: to display and show off skills in a competitive environment. The dream happened for Lee Allen Jr. in his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. And now, four years later, hundreds of HBCU standouts played at the MLB’s Andre Dawson Classic, which is a collegiate tournament for players hoping to play in the major leagues. The goal is to usher in a “new generation of African American stars,” according to NBC News. “Being able to be out here and showcase my talents in front of these scouts and other guys who’s looking at us at the next level,” said Allen, now a junior infielder for the Panthers, “it feels great for me because I know that those are goals that I can reach, and they’re there.” This is MLB’s aim, because right now it is facing historically low numbers when it comes to Black players in the MLB. According to The Institute for Diversity and Ethics at Central Florida, African American players were just 6.2% of players on MLB opening day rosters back in 2023, which is down from 7.2% in 2022. And both numbers were the lowest since the study was first conducted back in 1991, when just 18% of players were Black. Additionally, that’s also the lowest percentage of African American participation in four of the five major professional sports: NBA, NFL, MLB and MLS. In the National Hockey League, 90% of the players are white. But the MLB has tried to swing for the fences when it comes to attracting Black talent through a series of grassroots diversity initiatives. “We are really doubling down on what we’ve done,” said Del Matthews, MLB’s vice president of baseball development, “because we are producing kids that are going to college, that are getting internships within the sport. We see more kids playing at the Division I college baseball ranks, and we see more kids being drafted into the minor leagues. And so we’re just flooding that through the various programs that we’ve had.” The MLB’s pipeline starts with a yearly tour of pro-style camps in various cities across the country to spot baseball potential among inner city kids. The tour has grown each year from 12 stops in 2018 to 18 cities today. The pipeline targes kids 13-14 years old, just before high school. The goal is to send these players to advanced development programs where they can get several repetitions playing competitive baseball, mostly cost-free, while creating relationships with pro scouts and former major league baseball players. “The sport has gotten so expensive that it has eliminated a lot of our kids,” said Jerry Manuel, a former manager for the White Sox and Mets. “So we’ve got to do everything we can to get them back in the pipeline.”

Vice President Kamala Harris wants to see change when it comes to the categorization of marijuana. In fact, Harris called the current classification of marijuana under federal law “absurd” amid a White House event two Fridays ago. She is even looking forward to seeing what the Drug Enforcement Administration decides to do about moving it to a different category, according to Politco. “I’m sure DEA is working as quickly as possible and will continue to do so, and we look forward to the product of their work,” Harris said at the beginning of a roundtable discussion on cannabis policy with Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Ky.), a handful of people who received pardons from President Joe Biden for low level cannabis offenses and rapper Fat Joe. The DEA plans to release its final decision on the Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendation to move marijuana or cannabis, which has more than 0.3 percent THC, to a less restrictive schedule that is current under the Controlled Substances Act. Right now, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I narcotic, which is the same as LSD and heroin, which means it has “no acceptable medical uses and high propensity for abuse. The White House’s latest development is the latest sign that the Biden administration is, in fact, putting major effort into “overhauling federal marijuana policies just ahead of the 2024 presidential election." Also, during the State of the Union address, Biden wants to pardon federal marijuana offenders and loosen federal weed restrictions. Seventy percent of Americans are for marijuana legalization. And that position is popular with young voters, which is a crucial demographic that Biden is struggling to get support from. But back in October of 2022, Biden issued two executive orders that pardoned folks with certain nonviolent federal marijuana offenses and instructing HHS to assess if marijuana should be reclassified within the controlled substances federal list. And, in late 2023, the HHS sent a letter to the Department of Justice, recommending that cannabis be moved to a category that is less restrictive. And in December, Biden expanded his pardon declaration, which allows more folks to get relief, according to the NPR. Harris said Friday that that number is in the “tens of thousands.”

Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett are back running down the streets of Miami guns a blazing. Sony has released the explosive trailer for Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die, starring the dynamic duo Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. We can expect everything we love about the franchise: action, laughs and the iconic Miami backdrop. The fourth installment of the Bad Boys franchise is directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who previously helmed the successful Bad Boys for Life. The trailer kicks off with a bang as Lowrey and Burnett find themselves in the middle of a robbery at a convenience store. Also, in the trailer, it is revealed that their boss, Captain Howard (played by Joe Pantoliano), was framed as a notorious drug smuggler, and now the detectives are on the hunt to clear his name. It appears that Sony Pictures is capitalizing on its franchises, with Bad Boys following in the footsteps of the recent blockbuster hit Ghostbusters franchise, which soared past the $1 billion mark. Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die hits theaters on June 7, 2024. Check out the trailer below.

Flint, Michigan is in contempt because of a lead water pipe crisis. According to the Associated Press, a federal judge has found the city of Flint in contempt because of failing to comply with a court order that spelled out the steps needed to finish replacing the old lead pipes with new ones, following the Michigan city’s lead-contaminated water scandal. Writing a decision was U.S. District Judge David Lawson, who wrote in Tuesday’s decision that Flint was found in contempt because the city had failed to meet deadlines for pipe removal, which was already outlined in his February 2023 order. The city made a promise to replace the pipes by early 2020. His ruling comes on the heels of a June 2023 hearing on a motion seeking a contempt finding filed the previous month by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, and Concerned Pastors for Social Action. “Based on the evidence, it is apparent that the City has failed to abide by the Court’s orders in several respects, and that it has no good reason for its failures,” Lawson wrote in his decision. “The City has demonstrated belated compliance since the hearing, but even now, it has not actually replaced all of the lead service lines, which it originally promised to replace by March 28, 2020.” According to a news release from the Natural Resources Defense Council, the city had already agreed to replace the pipes by early 2020, but the work still isn’t completed. Additionally, nearly 2,000 homes still have damage to lawns, sidewalks and curbs caused by the lead people replacement program. Lawson’s order did not set out other specific penalties for the city if it continues to not comply with the order other than offering to award attorney's fees, costs and expenses to the plaintiffs. The Flint City Attorney William Kim said the city is committed to replacing lead service lines so long as the funds are available. As of right now, the city has finished service line identification and replacement at 29,485 addresses, but 30 addresses remain that require lead service line excavation. Pastor Allen C. Overton of the Concerned Pastors for Social Action, who is one of the plaintiffs in the case, said it was encouraged by Lawson’s’ ruling but needs to see the work finished. “The true outcome we’re seeking is for the City of Flint to succeed in finishing the lead pipe replacement program, including by finishing the overdue work of repairing damage to residents’ properties caused by lead service line replacements,” Overton said. Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com

Andre Holland is stepping into the shoes of Black Panther leader Huey P. Newton in the Apple TV+ limited series The Big Cigar. Holland leads a renowned ensemble cast including Alessandro Nivola, Tiffany Boone, PJ Byrne, Marc Menchaca, Moses Ingram, Rebecca Dalton, Olli Haaskivi, Jordane Christie and Glynn Turman. Legendary award-winning actor and producer Don Cheadle serves as director and executive producer on the first two episodes. The Big Cigar‘s showrunner is NAACP Image Award winner Janine Sherman Barrois (Claws, The Kings of Napa) and Winning Time‘s Jim Hecht penned the show’s first episode. According to Apple TV+, the series is based on the magazine article by Joshuah Bearman (Argo), who will also serve as an executive producer. The Big Cigar is the incredible true story of the Hollywood revolution meeting social revolution: it’s a wild caper of Black Panther founder Huey Newton escaping from the FBI to Cuba with the assistance of famed producer Bert Schneider in an impossibly elaborate plan — involving a fake movie production — that goes wrong in every possible way. And somehow, it’s all true. Mostly. The Big Cigar makes its global debut on May 17 with the first two episodes, followed by new episodes every Friday through June 14. Photo Credit: Apple TV+

Kwasi Darko Mensah is a graduate of Morehouse College with a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing. He has over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with a wide range of success in creating memorable guest experiences, operations management, venue planning and development. Mensah has held various job titles, including valet attendant, security guard, manager and promoter. However, the first-generation Ghanaian entrepreneur was able to add owner to his resume in 2007 when he and a close friend created the International Parking Company, a service that is still thriving in 2024. For the past twenty years, Mensah has been no stranger to the nightlife industry and has carved out his lane, starting as a valet attendant in downtown Atlanta. Ultimately, working his way up through the distinct levels of the nightlife industry. As Mensah’s knowledge grew within the industry, so did his passion for ensuring that consumers always enjoyed themselves whenever he provided the service. In an interview with The Quintessential Gentleman, Mensah stated that he knew he could play a crucial role in bringing back the 'fun element' to the nightlife scene, which has been missing in Atlanta for some time now. He explained that seeing how the industry has changed over the past decade or so, he wanted to be that positive impact on the nightlife scene that was starting to fade away. Mensah’s impact on the community and the nightlife scene of Atlanta has been nothing short of amazing. Mensah’s commitment to providing quality service has allowed him to stand the test of time, and he’s here to stay, only this time he’s taking on a new role. Mensah has now joined Bloom Bar, an Afro-themed cocktail bar and restaurant that has been setting the standard for vibrant nightlife experiences in Accra, Ghana. As a key business partner, Mensah plays a valuable role in securing Bloom Bar’s journey to the United States and finding its new home here in Atlanta. Mensah was able to help secure the Buckhead location and has now positioned the brand not only to expand but also to thrive. With his ability to interact with people from all walks of life, he will bring that element he’s perfected over the years into Bloom Bar. “The goal is to understand what the athletes, the rappers, and even the day-to-day people are looking for when they visit Bloom Bar and to be able to deliver it,” said Mensah. Kofi Maafo, a well-esteemed CEO in his own right of the Bloom Bar brand knew exactly what he was getting in Mensah when he was brought on to the team and it has been a seamless process during their newly formed partnership. Known for delivering a luxury experience in Ghana, Bloom Bar has set the standard in the nightlife industry for the past six years all while delivering a vibrant experience that allows for its customers to make memories that will last a lifetime. The open-air bar is known for its signature lights, delicious cocktails, and ambiance that will leave all in attendance in awe. Mensah spoke on what it meant to bring a huge piece of West African culture and heritage to Atlanta's nightlife scene, stating, "Being able to partner with Kofi, who is also a first-generation Ghanaian, means everything to me. We love entertainment, and it is intertwined with our culture. We dance, we sing, and we love to have fun. The forefront of the Bloom Bar experience is to bring back that fun aspect that has been missing from Atlanta nightlife for some time now." Bloom Bar’s presence in the hospitality and nightlife industry will allow Mensah to continue providing the strategic insight needed to take the bar to the next level. As for what's next for Mensah and Bloom Bar collectively, Mensah stated, "The goal is expansion and growth, and this project is just a stepping stone to greater things in the future.'"